page_title: Seventh German Inner Africa Research Expedition
hierarchical_section_title: Seventh German Inner Africa Research Expedition
caption_attribution_description: English: Leo Frobenius (1873-1938) was an ethnologist and archaeologist
context_page_description: The Seventh German Inner Africa Research Expedition was led by German ethnologist and archaeologist Leo Frobenius in October 1914-March 1915. Though referred to as the seventh of Frobenius' scientific expeditions to Africa it was a front for a German military espionage mission to Ethiopia. The objective was to restore communications with the German legation at Addis Ababa; persuade Ethiopian Emperor Lij Iyasu to support the Central Powers in the First World War and to proceed to Anglo-Egyptian Sudan to provoke an uprising there. This could have threatened British and Italian colonies in Eastern Africa and possibly the vital supply route of the Suez Canal.
  The expedition is thought to have comprised seventeen persons, five of European descent and twelve of Turkish or Arab origin. The European contingent left Berlin in October 1914 and rendezvoused with the other members in the Ottoman Empire. After travelling by rail, cart, camel and dhow to Al Qunfudhah the party boarded a sambuk for the Red Sea crossing to Eritrea.
context_section_description: The Seventh German Inner Africa Research Expedition (codenamed HIDDEK) was led by German ethnologist and archaeologist Leo Frobenius in October 1914-March 1915.  Though referred to as the seventh of Frobenius' scientific expeditions to Africa it was a front for a German military espionage mission to Ethiopia.  The objective was to restore communications with the German legation at Addis Ababa; persuade Ethiopian Emperor Lij Iyasu to support the Central Powers in the First World War and to proceed to Anglo-Egyptian Sudan to provoke an uprising there.  This could have threatened British and Italian colonies in Eastern Africa and possibly the vital supply route of the Suez Canal.
  The expedition is thought to have comprised seventeen persons, five of European descent and twelve of Turkish or Arab origin.  The European contingent left Berlin in October 1914 and rendezvoused with the other members in the Ottoman Empire (a German ally).  After travelling by rail, cart, camel and dhow to Al Qunfudhah the party boarded a sambuk for the Red Sea crossing to Eritrea.  Despite travelling incognito, the party is thought to have been identified by British agents and was intercepted by four British and French vessels but allowed on its way.  The Italian authorities became aware of the expedition and it was abandoned, with the expedition being granted safe passage from Eritrea on 26 March 1915.
  Despite not entering Ethiopia, Frobenius heralded the expedition as a success and campaigned for the right to lead a follow-up expedition.  The second expedition was instead led by Friedrich Salomon Hall in June 1915 and led to an agreement with Iyasu.  The Ethiopian government lent their support to rebels in Entente Somaliland and burnt down several Italian radio stations but was ousted in a British-supported coup in 1916.  Frobenius continued his scientific expeditions to Africa after the war but found it difficult to gain entry to British-controlled territories due to his involvement in this operation.
caption: Leo Frobenius
exif: {}